'Us' Star Cast as Jordan Peele's Candyman

New horror maven Jordan Peele has found his Candyman. After casting him in his upcoming thriller Us, Peele will be working with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the updated version of the devilish entity that appears when you say Candyman in the mirror.

Variety reported the casting and stated that no final negotiations have been made, but that Abdul-Mateen is the final choice.

We previously reported that Peele, co-writing with Win Rosenfeld and with Nia DaCosta directing, wanted to do the original Candyman justice, and that he realizes the great significance of the 1992 film. The new Candyman will be a “spiritual sequel”, and will be based in the previously crime-ridden, now gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the original film took place.

Abdul-Mateen is known for his work in The Get Down, Watchmen, and Aquaman. Tony Todd previously stated that he had not been asked to be involved in the new Candyman, but Peele is a horror buff, so we’re not ruling out (and secretly hoping for) a cameo.

Candyman is expected to start shooting next spring, and to arrive in theaters on June 12th, 2020.